Well, I didn’t get a lot of time to be in the workshop today but I did get the disc platen cleaned up and the sanding disc installed. I also cleaned up its cast iron table. It had a slight coat of rust from sitting in the garage and then when I used 409 and hot water to clean it. Got the rust off with TopSaver and then sprayed a coat of Top Cote on it. It’s as smooth as a baby’s bottom.

Oh and I decided to replace the platen behind the belt due to it being dished in a bit right at table level. It was cheap enough (compared to what one of these costs). So that will make the machine like new. Worth the expense and still my total investment will be way less then buying one of these new. So after I clean up the cast iron table for the belt finishing it up for use will be on hold until the platen arrives.

PurpLev, don’t know exactly. :) I can say the disc will get a lot of use. I have Delta’s 12” sander, that’s been my staple and gets a lot of use. I noticed that the disc platen on the Jet is not as heavy as the one on the Delta though, once the Delta gets spinning there no stopping it. But maybe the Jet makes up for that by shear horsepower. So my thought was by having the belt that will add some flexibly. With the disc, because it is a disc the surface feet per minute is different across the sanding surface’s circumference. So you have to be careful sanding something wide because it is more aggressive at the outside then it is closer to the center and will take off more material at the outside then where the piece hits the area closer to the center. With the belt you have constant SFM across it’s face. And a 6” belt is the same working area as a 12” disc for the most part unless you want to sand on the disc’s upside which isn’t a favorable way to do it.

Chip, I love it. Been using it for a long time on my cast iron tops when needed. In fact I’m probably going to stop at Rockler and pick up another bottle with the 20% coupon because the sprayer isn’t misting real well anymore. I’ve had the one kit for years and still have a good amount left. I wouldn’t recommend buying the kit though as I did now that I know, just buy the bottle. Don’t really use the stuff in the kit, I have my own rags and abrasives. I typically spray it on, let it sit a few minutes, then use 220 or 320 grit on my orbital sander while it’s still wet to clean it then wipe it off with a rag. In 10 minutes it’s done and smooth as glass. I have one more cast iron table to do for the sander, I sprayed it last night and let it sit, don’t have to do that but what the heck, if it still looks rusty tonight I’ll take before and after pictures so you can see.